By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Branson boys basketball team doubled its win total last winter, as second-year coach Pete McBride led the Pirates to a 12-15 record.
It was a huge step forward for a program that has struggled over the better half of the last decade, and had won just 15 total games over the preceding two seasons.
The Pirates will look to keep that momentum rolling over the next few months, as they bring an experienced roster into their first season as a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Conference.
“The program hasn’t had a winning season since 2016, so the belief that we can win is always a hard barrier to break,” McBride said. “Last season, we had some success and had some quality wins throughout the year. The lesson learned for our guys was that if we work hard, compete at a high level, play smart and be great teammates, then the success will follow.”
McBride called the move to the OMC “very exciting” for the Pirates, who departed the Central Ozark Conference at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
“If you look at the schools represented, you can quickly see what a good basketball conference this will be,” McBride said. “I think the OMC will give us a chance to form some new rivalries with schools that are closer to us. This will give the fan base a better opportunity to follow us on the road and have a better atmosphere for the guys to compete.”
Those guys include a six-player senior class, with multiple three-year starters among them.
“We have a good deal of quickness and speed,” McBride said. “We should run and space the floor very well, which plays to our greatest strength in three-point shooting.”
Few do that better than senior guard Jayce Culver, who averaged 14.6 points per game during an all-conference and all-district season.
“Jayce is a three-year starter and one of the top three-point shooters in the state,” McBride said. “He shot nearly 50 percent from the three-point line during COC play last year. He has adapted and is scoring from mid-range, as well as getting to the basket.”
Brody Gillespie, Kam Sutton, Luke McCormick, Tegan Asbury and Elijah Lashley complete Branson’s senior class.
Gillespie, a 6-foot-1 wing, ranks second among returning Pirates in scoring (8.8 points) and third in rebounding (3.4).
“Brody is an athletic wing who can finish above the rim as well as shoot the three,” McBride said. “He has worked extremely hard this offseason to improve in all areas. He has a chance to have a stellar senior season.”
A 5-foot-10 point guard, Sutton will anchor Branson’s defense.
“Kam is a strong and athletic (point guard) who can shoot the three on the offensive end but is an elite defender,” McBride said. “He will continue to guard the top scorer on the opposition night in and night out.”
McCormick is primarily known for being a standout quarterback on Branson’s football team, but the 6-foot-1 talent is also a force on the court.
“Luke is a physical post defender who can own the paint with his toughness,” McBride said. “He is a very good athlete and can run the floor as well as shoot the open three.”
Asbury, one of McCormick’s top receivers, will also be taking his talents to the hardwood.
“Tegan is (an) extremely athletic wing who can rebound, slash and shoot the three,” McBride said.
Lashley gives the Pirates yet another option from beyond the arc.
“Elijah is a tough, physical guard who is extremely competitive,” McBride said. “He brings an edge to our team with his effort and intensity. He can also score around the rim and hit the occasional three.”
Griffin Mehrhoff appeared in all 25 of Branson’s games as a freshman and had an immediate impact, averaging 5.5 points and 4 rebounds. He’s even better now, and McBride believes the 6-foot-3 sophomore is poised for a breakout season.
“He learned a lot about the varsity level and has worked extremely hard to continue to improve,” McBride said. “He is an outstanding shooter but has learned to score at every level.”
The Pirates will have eight varsity newcomers competing for playing time, as juniors Fox Ascone and Caleb Villarouz, sophomores Tred Houston, Wyatt Ray, Heston Toombs, Cy Tolivar and Kaden Cooper and freshman Jett James could all make an impact on the court.
McBride on Ascone: “Fox is an excellent shooter and a high IQ player. He is always in the right spots defensively.”
McBride on Villarouz: “Caleb suffered a season-ending hip injury last year, but when healthy he brings a passer and shooter to our team.”
McBride on Houston: “Tred is an athletic guard who is very skilled. He can score in transition and is a good shooter.”
McBride on Ray: “Wyatt is a tough physical guard who can score in bunches.”
McBride on Toombs: “Heston is a long, athletic forward who has shown tremendous improvement throughout the off season.”
McBride on Tolivar: “Cy is an athletic guard with a great motor. He’s a very good defender and plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor.”
McBride on Cooper: “Kaden is a very good post defender and rebounder. He also is an improved scorer and outstanding passer.”
McBride on James: “Jett is one of the top young (point guards) in the area. He has an excellent skill set and is very athletic. He will be a player to watch in the area the next four years.”
The Pirates will open the regular season at the 64th Annual Forsyth Tournament, which begins December 2.
“We want to be known as an enthusiastic, high-energy team that competes at a very high level – and that we are a team that plays with a high basketball IQ,” McBride said. “Especially in the winning moments of the game.”
